Funding grant enables North Coast music education group Fèis air an Oir to purchase new instrument

A TRADITIONAL music education group operating on the north coast has been able to expand its range of equipment thanks to a welcome funding boost.

Bettyhill-based Fèis air an Oir has purchased a new Blair electronic chanter following grant aid from the Daniel McLean Memorial Fund.

The new instrument was showcased at a St Andrew's night ceilidh and recent workshops held by Fèis air an Oir.

Carol-Anne Farquhar, of the fèis, said: "We were delighted to be able to purchase the chanter as it allows young pipers the opportunity to play along with other instruments during our groupwork sessions.

"It also allows the instrument to be shared because it doesn’t need to be blown, so we don’t have the worry of sanitizing mouthpieces between players. This was particularly important during the restrictions we all had to endure as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Ms Farquhar continued: "As a small fèis on the remote north coast, we are very grateful to have been awarded this funding. It is important for us to include all our young musicians in our group performances and having the electronic chanter allows this to happen.

"I’d like to thank Heather McLean from the fund. She has been a great support to us and gave great encouragement through the application process."

The fund was set up in memory of Daniel McLean who was born in Glasgow in 1920 but later moved to Thurso. A man of considerable musical talent, he sang with the Glasgow Grand Opera Company and on his move north, joined the Wick Choral Society.

The fund's website states: "Danny believed that a talent was something to be nurtured, developed and used to benefit others. He would, therefore, be delighted for this fund to enable young musicians to enhance their abilities and give pleasure to their communities."

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